Exclusive as Ekiti community vows to prohibit female genital mutilation

The Orin-Ekiti community of Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti state has vowed to prohibit Female Genital Mutilation in the community

At a ceremony attended by the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi,the community through the Regent, Mrs Theresa Dada partnered National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the United Nations Children Endowment Fund(UNICEF),signaling the town’s commitment to prohibit the practice.

Speaking at the event, the UNICEF Consultant for Oyo, Ekiti and Osun States, Mrs   Aderonke Olutayo, lamented the prevalence of the practice in Ekiti, according to her, the state ranked third in the country in the menace of FGM, adding that concerted efforts must be made to end the practice in the interest   of the female children.

She said   the practice had wrecked a lot of havoc among female children, who suffered blood loss and convulsion. Olutayo added that   with the pact in place,   the community alongside UNICEF will set up community   Champions and Surveillance Committee in the town to monitor compliance and report to the international agency .Im her words, “The practice had been found to be causing deaths of female children   apart from infringing on their rights.. It is wrong to take away rights of female children just because this mutilation was being done when they have no capacity to fight for themselves.“Our target in UNICEF is to ensure that we must stop the practice before year 2030, so we need your support. We are not going to leave you to this public declaration, we are going to monitor situations here and ensure that you comply, “ she stated. Mrs Fayemi said   Ekiti government had a subsisting law prohibiting the act , warning that whoever caught engaging in it will be dealt with in accordance to the law of the land.

The first lady added that it sounded so pathetic and unacceptable that Ekiti has oneof the highest prevalent rate of FGM in Nigeria, in spite of the state’s prowess in education. 

She said the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi   will work hard with the traditional and religious leaders to stop the practice in the state, saying the governor places high premium on protection of human live.

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